Dr. Lynn Cates
Specializing in pediatric infectious diseases and childhood immunizations.
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 Ask Dr. Cates
Helping a Four-Year-Old Cope with a Shot Visit | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Cates,
My little girl will be going in for her four-year-old check-up in a few weeks. She will be getting shots this time, which she hasn't had since she was two. It took at least a year, after her last shots, for her to stop screaming and crying at the mere mention of a doctor visit. How (and when) should I prepare her for her next doctor's appointment?
— Julie in NC, USA | | | ANSWER |
July 22, 2002 | | | Dear Julie,
I am very sorry to hear how much your daughter's last shot visit bothered her. You are wise to look for ways to help her next one go better. Dr. Barbara Felt has found that some simple reassuring measures can help make the shot visit less stressful. You can find practical tips in our article "How to Help Your Child Cope with Immunizations."
It is possible that the prospect of a shot visit isn't as scary to her at age four as when she was younger, but to be on the safe side you should probably wait till sometime near the visit to tell her because you can assume she will worry at least a little once she gets the news. That said, be sure you don't spring it on her after you get into the car or arrive at the office because then she might get worried about where you are taking her every time she gets in the car.
It is very important not only to reassure her, but also to be honest. For example, don't tell her the shots won't hurt because this could lead to her not trusting you under other circumstances. However this doesn't mean you have to volunteer a lot of details. Instead, it's a good idea to let her ask questions. You may find that your well-meaning graphic description could create more questions (or worse--create new fears) than it answers. A good way to find out what worries her is to let her draw a picture or act out the shot visit with a doll.
I hope this visit goes much better than the last. Remember that keeping her immunizations up to date is one of the very most important things you can do to protect her health!— by Lynn Cates, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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